Freedom Conference Release / 2010 Schedule / 2010 Roster

WILKES-BARRE – The Wilkes University men's soccer team has been picked fifth in the Freedom Conference preseason poll, as voted on by the coaches.

The Colonels, who received 29 points in the poll, sit just one point behind both DeSales and King's, who tied for third with 30 points apiece. Manhattanville, last year's conference champions, was picked first, receiving five first place votes. Misericordia, which had two first place votes, was picked second. Eastern, FDU-Florham and Delaware Valley round out the conference poll.

Wilkes enters the 2010 season in transition, having lost five key seniors from last year's conference playoff team. However, the Colonels do have five starters returning, led by senior goalkeeper Kaleb Smith (Beavertown, Midd-West), a two-time conference defensive player of the week in 2009. Senior Tom Joyce (Pompton Lakes, NJ, Pompton Lakes) also returns. Starting every game at defender a year ago, Joyce and Smith helped place the Colonels fourth in the conference in goals against average.

On the attack for the Colonels will be junior Ed Zulkoski (Mountaintop, Crestwood) and sophomore Joe Brennan (Oakdale, CT, Montville). Starting every game at midfielder for Wilkes, Zulkoski scored two goals and added an assist while Brennan finished 2009 with four games, including three game-winners.

The Colonels open their season on Wednesday, September 1 as they travel to Marywood University to take on the Pacers. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. 

2010 Freedom Conference Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
1. Manhattanville 46 pts. (5)
2. Misericordia 41 pts. (2)
3t. DeSales 30 pts.
3t. King's 30 pts. (1)
5. Wilkes 29 pts.
6. Eastern 28 pts.
7. FDU-Florham 13 pts.
8. Delaware Valley 7 pts.

(#) denotes fist place votes